Hundreds of Santas take part in Market Harborough run

Ready, steady, ho-ho-ho: Nearly 500 people dressed up as Santa and ran through Welland Park for charity.

Published:07:22Thursday 17 December 2015

Almost 500 Santas took part in Market Harborough’s Santa Fun Run in the town’s Welland Park at the weekend.

The 475 Santas was nearly double the number in last year’s inaugural run,

Ready, steady, ho-ho-ho: Nearly 500 people dressed up as Santa and ran through Welland Park for charity.

The event,sponsored by Snap Fitness, helped raise £5,000 for charities including The Squires Effect who were this year’s nominated charity.

“Word spread about the unusual sight awaiting anybody wandering into the park” said Amy Corcoran, one of the organisers from Race Harborough. “As a result we had quite a large crowd of well-wishers and supporters.”

The race got underway at 2pm with Santas opting for the 2km or 5km course.

Runners were given an extra incentive of a £100 donation to the charity of their choice if they caught up with the Christmas pudding (Dan Hallam) who set off just before the rest of the field.

Ready, steady, ho-ho-ho: Nearly 500 people dressed up as Santa and ran through Welland Park for charity.

Last year Dan outran everyone, but this year he was caught by Gareth Wood from Harborough Athletic Club.

Gareth said: “Thanks to Race Harbough for putting on such a cracking event. I’d like my £100 donation to go to Médecins Sans Frontières.”

The event is one of a number organised by Race Harborough including a triathlon, half marathon and a night time tunnel run.

In 2015 Race Harborough events raised more than £30,000 for charities.

Ready, steady, ho-ho-ho: Nearly 500 people dressed up as Santa and ran through Welland Park for charity.